Runners taking part in Sunday’s London Marathon have vowed not to let fear overshadow the day in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

And many say they will cross their hands over their heart as they reach the finishing line in memory of the three people who died, including an eight-year-old boy, and the 150 injured by the blasts.

Security has now been stepped up for the London Marathon with its chief executive Nick Bitel saying yesterday that the race will be safe and live up to its reputation as an event at which “humanity can be united”.

Mark Steel, of the Eccleshill Road Runners, is taking part with his mum and said the running community would pull together on Sunday.

“It is sickening and absolutely horrible what happened this week,” he said.

“People just like us had done their preparation, gone over there and were at the start line and it ended in complete tragedy.

“It is absolutely devastating, but in London the entire running community will be there to stand strong to show people in Boston affected by this tragedy.”

Carl Smith, a betting shop manager from Queensbury, is hoping to break a Guinness World Record for the fastest Marathon Dressed as a Lifeguard.

“It is awful but I don’t think it can stop you doing things – that is my belief and hopefully it will not ever happen again,” he said.

“I have my wife, son and family coming to watch me and I worry they are all watching, but I think if you go through life not doing anything you are letting them win.”

Among others in the Bradford district taking part in the marathon are eight members of the Saltaire Striders.

Striders member Councillor Martin Love (Green Shipley) said: “The events in Boston affect anyone involved in running. People just go to take part in the event or to watch family and friends and they get wrapped up in something as horrible as this.”

Martin Peace, the president of Bingley Harriers, said one of his members had told him he was taking part in the marathon to prove a point. Up to 15 Harriers are heading to the race.

“I would encourage everybody to go down and take part,” he said.

“Monday’s appalling event has no place in any sporting occasion and London is such a special race. I would urge everyone to take part.”

Teacher Sarah Bouskill, 33, of Pudsey Tyersal Primary School, will also be in London running for the British Heart Foundation after setting herself a target of making more than £2,000 for the charity. She said: “I decided to take part because this time last year I nearly lost my mum to heart failure. She was minutes from death and if it wasn’t for charities like the BHF she wouldn’t be with us today.”

Mrs Bouskill, who has been putting on events at her school including a Rock up in Red non-uniform day, said: “I know I won't run all the way and will be doing a lot of walking but I'm going to cross that line even if I need to crawl.

“It's going to be incredibly emotional. A Twitter campaign has been asking us to cross our hands over our heart to remember the people in Boston.”

Daniel Wood, whose mum Judi Wood lives in Eccleshill, is running the marathon in memory of his dad, a former Bradford firefighter.

Mr Wood, 33, who works as a technician for the Red Bull Formula One team, is raising funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research His dad, who died last year, had successfully fought off cancer ten years ago.

His mum Judi said: “What happened in Boston isn't putting Dan off from running for his dad and I'll be there in the crowd to support him all the way.”

On her marks set to raise money for Airedale’s Emergency Department with her first London Marathon will also be Rebecca Malin, who is head of business development and investment at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

The 37-year-old, of Bradley, is a member of both the Skipton Athletics Club – who allocated her a place in the London Marathon – and the hospital’s own team – the Airedale Dodgers.

She will be running with friends Heather Gardner and Gillian Elsworth and be cheered on by her husband Paul and children Oliver, six, and Charlotte, three, aiming to raise at least £500 to improve Airedale’s A&E facilities.